BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of March 6, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of February 27, 2007.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of letter from Sheriff Dave Brown advising of notification from Washington State Emergency Management of FEMA’s decision to deny cost recovery for Piper Road landslide event.

3.       Contract amendment #1 with Chamber of Commerce amending the Scope of Work.

4.       Contract amendment #1 with Swanson Services Corporation to include The Cobra Banker software in conjunction with the existing commissary services.

5.       Agreement with JL Enterprises NW, Inc for maintenance of mylar large copier for Assessor and Auditor.

6.       Contract with Advanced Planning Solutions for consulting services for Western WRIA 29 Instream Flow Work – Part B including technical analysis, coordination of planning unit meetings, & facilitating technical committee meetings.

7.       Contract with Sound Resolutions for consulting services for Western WRIA 29 Instream Flow Work – Part B including facilitation of planning unit meetings.

8.       Contract amendment #1 with Ground Water Solutions to increase the amount by $1,043.12 to cover unanticipated additional monitoring necessary during the aquifer test, as part of the completion of the County’s water right change application at Wind River Nursery site.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer gave updates on the county-wide GIS system and Rock Creek slide, and reported on Public Works, Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and equipment and rental revolving fund.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director reported on the pending application list, Hearing Examiner request for proposals, upcoming Comprehensive Plan and Swift Subarea Plan workshop, next Columbia River Gorge Commission meeting, and a joint Planning Commission/Board of County Commissioner workshop.

 

Commissioner Tolfree advised that the Wind River Experimental Forest was selected by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) as one of the core sites across the United States that will be included in the NEON Project Execution Plan designed to provide environmental knowledge needed for ecological forecasting and prediction for future generations.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2007 and reconvened at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a support letter for a CMASA grant application, federal forest funding update, and a bio hazards application, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to authorize Commissioner Tolfree to sign a letter of support for Skamania County Community Mobilization Against Substance Abuse to be included with a grant application.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:18 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007 and reconvened at 10:37 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve payroll for the period ending February 28, 2007 in the total amount of $1,058,519.18.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve 13th month vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2006, in the total amount of $203,924.96.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending March 8, 2007 in the total amount of $97,818.36.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss bidding on a portable building, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to authorize Scott Pineo, Recreation and Facilities Director to bid up to $20,075 for a portable building for sale on eBay by the State of Washington.

 

The Board continued in a staff workshop for an update on Horizons, with no action taken.

 

Rich Dickman of Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) Service Group, LLC gave a presentation on a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for public employees for a tax-free health reimbursement arrangement that enables the employer to make tax-free contributions into a special trust account on behalf of the employee that can be used to pay or reimburse eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs and premiums.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:25 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007 and reconvened at 1:25 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:25 p.m. until 2:35 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board discussed the structure at 101 Piper Road.  The Building Department advised that the structure is now considered unsafe for occupancy due to the landslide activity and advised of the need to post the structure as dangerous, which would protect the property owner and the County.   Following discussion, the Board directed the Building Department to post the structure and proceed with notification to the property owner.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss a request for replacement of the Solid Waste bailer, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON